Don't think that Chris Hannon hasn't heard the criticism.

Tennessee's senior wideout and his fellow receivers have caught much of the flack for a 4-6 season.

"It made it tough, the things you read," Hannon said.

Hannon said the negative press, at times, had positive effects when the Vols hit the practice field intent on proving their critics wrong.

Hannon said he's not sure why the Vols' offense struggled this season. He mentioned the constantly changing quarterback situation and numerous off-season surgeries as two possibilities. UT players had more than 20 surgeries before the season began.

"The more you're on the practice field," Hannon said, "the better you are."

Hannon remembers two plays that he's responsible for that could have changed the course of the season. The first was a dropped pass against South Carolina in the end zone. The second was another drop that bounced off his shoulder pads and ended up being an interception against Vanderbilt.

Hannon blamed bad technique against South Carolina and a slip on the trip-up against Vandy.

"That's going to stick with me forever," Hannon said. "We could have beat South Carolina."

Hannon said he keeps pictures of his shortcomings in his locker to keep him motivated. Critics claim motivation was the main problem for Hannon and he didn't give his full effort this season, especially when he failed to dive for a sure touchdown against the Gamecocks.

"I took it," he said of the criticism. "It hurt. I didn't have to dive for it if I had correct technique.

"Coach (Phillip) Fulmer always said that he never had an effort problem with me from practice to the game. I'm always hustling. I'm always making that backside block.

"That Chris Hannon was effortless on that play, that really hurt."

Hannon admits that the receivers have shown less than admirable effort several times this season but doesn't blame anyone for looking out for themselves above the team.

"Everybody has their personal goals," Hannon said. "They told the media that and people probably read it the wrong way. None of us just look toward the future."

Hannon said this season will be a learning experience for everyone involved with the program.

"They will never be 4-6 again," Hannon said. "I promise you."

Young Ones: Offensive lineman Cody Douglas said the struggles of the 2005 season have had an impact on the underclassmen.

"I think they've gotten the chance to see that a season like this is not fun for anybody," the senior said. "We saw our offensive coordinator step down. Things like that are not any fun to see.

"I think they (underclassmen) definitely have a new appreciation for the game and I think they're going to come back next year and try to get this thing back on track."

Discipline?: Defensive end Jason Hall doesn't think UT's off-field issues have led to on-field mistakes.

"I think we have a very disciplined football team when it comes to on the field," the senior said. "You're going to have some penalties. That's the nature of the beast. It's part of the game. You're going to have some issues by having so many guys on a team. I don't think it's an issue at all."

Hall alluded to the losing season as one reason that UT has received so much negative publicity.

"Winning kind of cures all," he said. "If we had a perfect season and we're going to the national championship, we wouldn't be talking about any of these things."

Josh Ward of govolsxtra.com contributed to this report.